DaShaun Amos and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will definitely have home-field advantage Saturday for the East Division final.
An expected Hamilton Stadium sellout will be rocking when the Ticats host the Montreal Alouettes. But for Amos, with that comes the responsibility of playing well to keep fans engaged and behind the home team throughout.
"They can be as loud as they want but if we're out there not playing our game and not to our best ability they only help us so much," Amos told reporters this week. "It's one of those things where it gives you that little bit of an edge when it's going your way, but again we play in Hamilton.
"If you're not doing your job you'll hear that as well. We plan on going out there and playing our best game and keeping the fans on our side."
Hamilton (11-7) finished first in the East to secure home field for the conference final for the first time since 2019. The Ticats last won the Grey Cup in 1999 and have the CFL's longest championship drought.
Meanwhile Montreal (10-8) is in the division final for the fourth straight year and looking to secure its second Grey Cup berth in three seasons. The Alouettes won the CFL title in 2023.
A three-time Grey Cup champion, Amos has been here before with the Calgary Stampeders (2018-19, '21) and Toronto Argonauts (2022-24). But he said the atmosphere he's experienced this season — his first with Hamilton — has been unique.
"I don't think there's one word you can use to describe the atmosphere," he said. "The regular-season energy here was already crazy so you can only imagine what it's going to be like Saturday.
"You won't get it (full experience) through TV, you'll only get it if you're on the sideline or sitting in one of those seats. This is one of those games that you live for, you dream of playing in a game like this as a kid and it's coming to fruition."
Hamilton swept the two-game series with Montreal this season but the Alouettes enter Saturday's game early 2.5-point favourites. A big reason for that is quarterback Davis Alexander, who was 7-0 in '25 and has won all 11 regular-season starts, a CFL record to start a career.
Alexander threw for 384 yards with a touchdown and interception last week in leading Montreal past Winnipeg 42-33 in his CFL playoff debut. Alexander missed both of the Als' games versus Hamilton due to a hamstring injury.
"Betting lines are what they are and they probably have a right to feel that way," said Ticats linebacker Reggie Stubblefield, who helped Montreal win the '23 Grey Cup. "They just had a great win against Winnipeg but we're not into that.Â
"It's this week, this game. All that matters (is) every single play and handle our business. We'll let all of that other stuff come to rest when it happens."
Although Stubblefield is completing his first season with Hamilton, he's putting the heavy weight of the fans' expectations squarely upon his shoulders.
"I take it with a lot of pride, a lot of respect," Stubblefield said. "When I say I'm doing this for Ted (GM Ted Goveia, who died in September of throat cancer at age 55) and this organization, it's something that I really mean because it's something I want.
"Right now I just want to win for Hamilton."
Receiver Tim White, who recorded a fourth straight 1,000-yard campaign in his fifth season with Hamilton, said the Ticats understand the situation they face.
"Some people may see it as pressure and if it is pressure, pressure is a privilege," he said. "I don't see it as a bad thing, I see it as a positive thing.
"I do see the opportunity here, there's a large opportunity in front of us and I think that's a great thing. I do think it's something we've been waiting for and so it's like we're here now, let's capitalize on it."
This report by ºÃÉ«tvwas first published Nov. 6, 2025.
